You are here

Ramseur eyes savings

By Judi Brinegar

RAMSEUR — The Ramseur Town Board of Commissioners approved an agreement with Robert Segal, CPA, for expense reduction during Monday’s regular meeting.

“He works exclusively with small government to help them save money,” Town Administrator Kevin Franklin told the board. “He has found a way for us to save up to $500 a month on our phone bills, a savings of $6,000 over the course of a year.”

Segal’s fees would be 50 percent of the savings for the first 24 months plus the cost of the phone conversion.

“We know that $6,000 can make a difference when you are dealing with a tight budget,” Franklin added. “To me this is a slam dunk for Ramseur.”

In other business, Mayor Danny Shaw, along with Commissioner Robert Kisely, took time to praise the organizers of the town’s recent fall festival, A Day on Main Street.

“Thanks to Carol Akers and her committee for all of their hard work,” Shaw said. “This was one of the best festivals we have ever had and one of the biggest.”

“I talked to several folks and they were saying that they like to come to Ramseur’s festival because of the friendly people here,” Kisely added. “That says a lot for our town right there.”

In other action, the board approved:

* A budget amendment for N.C. STEP grant funds of $100,000. “This is free money,” said Shaw. “We (the N.C. STEP Committee) just have to get out and spend it and we are in the process of doing it. I invite everyone to come to one of these meetings and see what we are all about.”

* Trivium Racing agreement for the 2013 Triathlon, which has been scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 21, 2013. Franklin said that Trivium Racing has also expressed an interest in holding other events at Ramseur Lake.

* Allowing parking at the basketball court at Leonard Park during tournaments, with the event organizers being responsible for any damage to signage at the park.

* Christmas bonuses for employees.

* Expense requests totaling $6,620.60 for a sewer jetter hose and instrumentation/calibration of several pieces of equipment at the water plant.

* Fire department expenses of $1,300.

Mayor Shaw also reminded those present of upcoming events:

* An opening reception for an exhibit of oak baskets hand crafted by Theron Caviness of Robbins will be held from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 8, at the Ramseur Town Hall, 724 Liberty St. Caviness’s baskets will remain on display at Town Hall through Dec. 20. The event is free and refreshments will be served.

* The N.C. STEP team will host an agribusiness project meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 15, at Town Hall.

* The next N.C. STEP meeting will be held from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 27, at Town Hall.

* Christmas on Roller Mill Hill will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 6, in downtown Ramseur.

* The Ramseur Christmas Parade will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, in downtown Ramseur.